29/10/2018

I am honoured to be with you today for this tribute to Kofi Annan. On behalf of his wife, Nane, and the Kofi Annan Foundation, I would like to thank the Crans Montana Forum for awarding the prestigious Prix de la Fondation posthumously to Kofi Annan. Mrs. Annan, who cannot be with us today, has asked me to express her deep gratitude for this gracious act honouring the legacy of her late husband.

In the course of his remarkable life and career, Kofi Annan, as Secretary General of the United Nations, Nobel peace laureate and later as Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation energetically pursued his vision for a fairer, more peaceful world. “Healthy societies”, he would say, “are built on peace, inclusive development, and human rights.” But he recognised that women must play a central and critical role in building healthy societies. Allow me to quote him again: “When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life”.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality is thus not only deeply valuable in its own right but one of the best means of securing progress on all the other SDGs. That is why the Women’s Forum provides such an apt venue to honour Kofi Annan. He recognised clearly the link between gender equality and peace and sustainable development, particularly for Africa, for which he naturally felt a personal responsibility. He would be especially pleased that the theme of the Forum is the role of women in agriculture.

Kofi Annan was convinced that the development of African agriculture, and securing food security, was the best way to address poverty and spur growth in Africa. Here too he argued that empowering and aiding women farmers is one of the best ways to end poverty on the continent. For Kofi Annan, the struggle for gender equality and the eradication of hunger were vital complementary steps on the road to creating a better world.

Now that he is no longer among us, it is up to all of us to ensure that Kofi Annan’s ideals live on. Such was his wish and such is our mission at the Kofi Annan Foundation. This award will serve as a powerful reminder of Kofi Annan’s quiet wisdom, the depth of his compassion, and the clarity of his vision. As we look to the future, we should draw inspiration from his life and continue his tireless quest for a fairer, more peaceful world.

A very warm welcome to the Palais des Nations. It is indeed a pleasure to join you today.

We are meeting three years into our collective journey to make the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a reality. Our ambitions are crystal clear: a world free of poverty and hunger; a fairer, more equal world; a world that respects the limits of nature.

We are making progress, embracing change, and increasingly working together and learning from each other across regions and disciplines.

But we also know we are not moving fast enough. In some areas, we risk backsliding.

And just as progress in one area supports progress in the other, so too does failure in one force failure in the other.

This interdependency is true across the full spectrum of the 2030 Agenda, but it is particularly pronounced in the links between empowering women on the one hand and eradicating poverty and ending hunger on the other, the focus of our discussion today.

Let me approach this in the context of a broad picture. And let’s be clear. We’re failing women the world over, in rural and in urban areas, in the Global North and in the Global South - to the detriment of us all.

Just 5 percent of heads of state and government are women. Just 5 percent of women lead the world’s largest companies.

These abysmal numbers are the result of practical and cultural obstacles women face at all levels, from lack of opportunity to lack of basic human decency, from explicit legal barriers to implicit attitudes and cultural norms.

Things are changing of course, with inspiring trailblazers all over the planet, in Africa in particular. Just yesterday, I was excited to see my former colleague Sahle-Work Zewde elected Ethiopia’s first female president.

And I was encouraged to learn that the highest share of women in the workforce globally is found in Africa.

But the pace of change is too slow. Just think that it would take another 217 years to achieve gender equality if we don’t accelerate our efforts.

Promoting equality is a fundamental goal in itself. But more than this, we simply cannot address the complex and growing global challenges of our day without the full capacity of half of our population.

Women’s equal participation in the labour force would unlock trillions for our global economy - in London as much as in Lagos, in rural Africa as much as in America’s corn belt.

Women are proven agents of sustainable development, investing salaries and profits into their families and communities, with benefits for health, education, and stability.

With benefits, crucially, for food security.

For in our world of plenty, one person in nine still does not have enough to eat. Most of them are women.

And it could yet get worse. From overcultivation to overgrazing, from deforestation to desertification: once fertile soils turn into barren land, triggering humanitarian and economic crises.

Meanwhile, food demand only grows - in Africa, by over 50 percent in the coming years.

But thinking about the right answer to this challenge also brings me back to the interdependency I mentioned at the outset.

And it reminds me, as so often, of Kofi Annan, who saw this earlier than most. Over a decade ago, he told us that, and I quote him “no tool for development is more effective than the empowerment of women…no other policy as likely to raise productivity…and no policy as sure to improve nutrition and promote health.”

And we have since found powerful evidence that there is also no policy more important in sustaining peace. In fact, peace agreements are 30 percent more likely to last when women are meaningfully represented at the negotiating table - instead of routinely excluded.

All of which is why Kofi Annan used to say that we are not facing “problems in search of a solution…We know what works, and what doesn’t.”

“What doesn’t work” is continuing business as usual, with all its short-sightedness and power imbalances.

“What works”, by contrast, is challenging convention, is taking the holistic view, is acting sustainably. “What works”, above all, is women’s empowerment at all levels.

Which is why your theme today - “African women, the driving force for economic and social development” - is spot on.

All across the continent, women are taking charge, as entrepreneurs, as innovators, as pioneers - they are the ones paving the way towards an Africa that is inclusive and integrated; prosperous and vibrant.

Today’s Forum is a chance to move ahead in the fight for gender equality, to keep the ambition high and work together in our collective endeavour for a better, more just future.

In the framework of the 20th Annual Session of the Homeland & Global Security, an exceptional Session of the African Women’s Forum was held Friday October 26 at the United Nations Office in Geneva.

First Ladies, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Businesswomen, Activists, Heads of International Organisations from all around the World addressed African Women’s Empowerment, the driving force of the Continent’s economic and social Development, with a special focus on the Role of rural Women for sustainable and fair Agriculture.

15/10/2018

Crans-Montana Tourism and the prestigious international school, Regent Crans-Montana College, will be the ambassadors of the renowned Valaisan resort, in the framework of the forthcoming Forum, to be held in Geneva from October 24 to 26.

During this major event, participants will have the opportunity to get acquainted with this unique « Haut Plateau », located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the now 35 years old Crans Montana Forum’s cradle.

28/09/2018

The Fight against Corruption and Economic Crime, threatening global stability and peace, is one of the major challenges our societies and economies are currently facing. Eradicating this global scourge requires the commitment and efforts of all stakeholders.

These major issues will be at the core of the Homeland & Global Security Forum’s agenda with a Special Programme addressing the necessity of strengthening international cooperation and implementing common strategies at national and regional levels. It will also focus on the essential role of Youth education in building societies respectful of the rule of law.

13/09/2018

The Crans Montana Forum is very pleased to announce that Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Senior Economic Advisor at Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI), has accepted to join the African Women’s Forum Honorary Committee.

Former Vice President of the World Bank Africa and Federal Minister of Education in her Country, Nigeria, Dr. Oby co-founded Transparency International and took part in the international mobilization following the kidnapping of 276 girls from Chibok’s High School (Nigeria), creating the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

The Crans Montana Forum has kept fond memories of her active participation during the 2018 Forum on Africa & South-South Cooperation in Dakhla(Morocco), where she made a moving intervention during the African Women’s Forum special Programme and received the Forum’s Gold Medal for her actions and exceptional career path.

A few months later, the Crans Montana Forum offered her to join the Honorary Committee of the Crans Montana African Women’s Forum.

Her personal life-long commitment towards Women is a strong signal and inspiration for all of them. We have no doubt that she will provide valuable support to our Initiative.

On the occasion of its African Women's Forum meeting, the Crans Montana Forum will pay tribute to a Man of Peace, the late Secretary-General of the United Nations on Friday October 26, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. at the United Nations Office of Geneva.

Mr. Kofi Annan recently left us. The world has lost an inspiring Leader and a great advocate of universal human values. He was awarded with Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for his outstanding commitment and actions towards a fairer and more peaceful world.

He devoted all his energy to the promotion of human rights as the cornerstone of international legitimacy and multilateralism.

10/08/2018

The African Women’s Forum meets at the United NationsGeneva Headquarters

As a side-event to the 20th annual session of the Homeland & Global Security Forum, an exceptional event of the African Women’s Forum will take place on Friday October 26 at the United Nations Office in Geneva.

Women Heads of State and Government, First Ladies, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Businesswomen, Activists, Heads and Representatives of International Organisations from around the World are invited to gather and address all issues pertaining to the growing role of Women in the development and the world integration of African nations.

This special Programme will notably focus on :

African Women & Global Security

Rural Women’s role in the implementation of a sustainable and fair Agriculture in Africa

Participation is free of any charge. However a prior registration

is required for security reasons To register, please contact info@montana30.org

06/08/2018

Since Switzerland is positioning itself as a World renowned hub for digital innovation, the Crans Montana Forum took the initiative to organize on the occasion of the 20th Annual Session of the Homeland & Global Security Forum in Geneva, a Special Programme dedicated to Cybersecurity and Information Governance with a special focus on crypto-due diligence.

Among the topics to be addressed :

What about the uncontrollable side-effects of a world of technologies that challenge our societies: Fake News

How to fight against the new criminality born from the perverse use of technologies?

How to ensure transparency and fight against the underground dimension of certain electronic exchanges

The Crans Montana Forum welcomes with great pleasure the renewed support of Phosboucraa Foundation, on the occasion the 29th Annual Session of the Crans Montana Forum to take placein Brussels (Belgium) from June 27 to 30, 2018.

Created in May 2014, Phosboucraa Foundation has for mission to carry out the corporate social responsibility of OCP Group and namely of its subsidiary Phosboucraa through initiating and implementing programs that contribute to the human development in the 3 southern regions of Morocco. The Foundation focuses on Social development to enhance education and training and to facilitate health access, dryland agriculture to improve Saharan agriculture and preserve environment, entrepreneurship to encourage business initiatives and development, culture & sports to support talents and promote local culture, urban development to support Phosboucraa industrial development.

While Globalization generates an increased mobility of individuals, Citizenship-by-Investment Programmes are significantly growing in numerous countries around Europe and the rest of the World. This new booming industry raises new debates on our Institutions’ functioning.

Therefore, on the occasion of its 29th Annual Session to take place in Brussels, the Crans Montana Forum organizes a High-Level Panel on Citizenship & Passport - Globalization and Mobility, gathering the main stakeholders of this Industry as well as numerous Governments and International Organisations’ Representatives.

In the framework of the 29th Annual Session of the Crans Montana Forum to be held in Brussels (Belgium), the European Parliament will host once again the Special Programme of the African Women’s Forum,on Friday, June 29.

Women Heads of State and Government, First Ladies, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Businesswomen, Activists, Heads of International Organisations from all around the World are invited to address the role of local communities in national cohesion and global progress on the African Continent. It will also be the opportunity to highlight Women’s commitment within local social & economic structures.

18/05/2018

The Crans Montana Forum’s Board has decided to present Mr. Ibrahim Betil, Founder of Sen de Gel Association, with the prestigious Prix de la Fondation 2018, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to fighting poverty and creating employment in African countries.

The Official Award Ceremony will be held on Friday, June 29, in the framework of the 29th Annual Session of the Crans Montana Forum in Brussels (Belgium).

Former Turkish Businessman, Mr. Ibrahim Betil created Sen de Gel association in 2012 after a trip to the Gambia where he experienced the living situation in rural villages. He decided to develop projects to contribute to humanity in a world where 1 billion people are fighting against poverty and lack of water. Since then, Sen de Gel has touched more than 370.000 lives by supporting sustainable development projects, fighting poverty, creating employment and adding value to people’s lives in the least developed countries !

10/04/2018

The 29th Annual Session of the Crans Montana Forum will take place in Brussels (Belgium), on June 27 to 30, 2018.

In an increasingly fractured World, this forum offers to explore the ways to reinvent a Global Governance to tackle today's major challenges : Climate change and its impact on Environment, Economy and threatened Populations, the wide spread of Terrorism and the means to fight it and the backlash against Globalization and its perverse effects.

The Programme headlines will address a number of major topics :

The International Community’s response to Conflicts

Citizenship & Passport : Globalization and mobility

The future of South-Eastern Europe at the doorstep of the European Union

Economic development and Security challenges in Africa

Maritime and Port industry in Africa and the Silk Road Countries

Trust and Truth in the Digital Era

Like every year, Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Members of Parliaments, International Organisations and major Businesses coming from more than 100 countries will gather during this Forum.

In addition, two exceptional events will be held during the Forum :

a High-Level Panel dedicated to International Affairs in a world of Sanctions and Extraterritoriality

an Extraordinary Session of the African Women’s Forum organized in the premises of the European Parliament

22/03/2018

The Crans Montana Forum wants to warmly thank Phosboucraa Foundation, Group Crédit Agricole of Morocco, Maroc Telecom, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), Oberthur Fiduciaire, the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE), the Institut Royal des Etudes Stratégiques (IRES), the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), Euronews, Royal Air Maroc, GNV and the Moroccan National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining (ONHYM) for their support to the Crans Montana Forum in Dakhla.

Co-chaired by Amb. Jean-Paul Carteron, Honorary Chairman and Founder of the Crans Montana Forum, and Rev. Jesse Jackson, Founder & President of the Rainbow Push Coalition, the Official Opening Session of the Crans Montana Forum on Africa and South-South Cooperation is underway in Dakhla.

Among the distinguished Speakers: Mr. Swe Myint, Vice President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Mr. Moustapha Cisse Lo, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Michel Martelly, Former President of the Republic of Haiti, and Mrs. Grace Njapau, Former Dep. Minister of Home Affairs of Zambia.

12/03/2018

ONEE will be Partner of the Crans Montana Forum on Africa & South-South Cooperation, to be held in Dakhla (Morocco) from March 15 to 20, 2018.

The National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), key player of the energy sector in Africa, works on the generalization of electricity and drinking water access in Morocco and throughout Africa.

ONEE will actively contribute to the International Conference on Urban Global Management, to be held on Saturday March 17, in order to share its experience on the impact of Smart Grid.

The Crans Montana African Women's Forum celebrates all inspiring Women on the International Women's Day 2018.

The African Women’s Forum is committed to improving the status of Women in Africa and all over the World.

The next African Women’s Forum Special Programme will be held on the occasion of the Forum on Africa & South-South Cooperation in Dakhla (Morocco) on March 16. This meeting will gather First Ladies, Ministers, Parliamentarians and Members of the Civil Society to address Women’s Empowerment in the economic and political frameworks.

Discover the African Women’s Forum TV Report made during the exceptional session held at the European Parliament, in October 2017.

06/03/2018

First National telecommunication company, Maroc Telecom will support, for the fourth year in a row, the Crans Montana Forum on Africa and South-South Cooperation, to be held in Dakhla from March 15 to 20, 2018.